Centre canvasses cultural renaissance

THE Centre for Research and Development of Esanland (CERDEL) has advocated for the revival and study of local languages, cultures and customs to check the negative influence of “imported” lifestyles.

Its Director, Prof (Mrs.) Bridget Inegbeboh, who made the call yesterday at the launch of the centre at the Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU), Ogwa in Edo State, said the move was to “project the historical, cultural and developmental potentials of Esanland and its people.”

She said the loss of cultural values was like “a plague endangering our culture. We are trying to stem it here. We are trying to bring back interest in Esan cultural values into this centre and into the community.”

The institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Bernard Aigbokhan said the commissioning was part of activities marking the university’s maiden convocation, adding that the centre would house a museum equipped with Esan artefacts and artworks.